Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The urgent need to shorten wait times for services like security and immigration checks at airports or even when picking up rental cars comes into focus as summer travel picks up. Undoubtedly, one of the most annoying experiences for travellers is standing in long lines for any procedure. The adoption of contactless systems at airports, including biometric processing at crucial touchpoints like immigration, security screening, and check-in, has been accelerated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. While ensuring a safer and more convenient travel experience, the switch to touchless technology aims to minimise queuing and reduce overall airport wait times. According to IATA’s 2022 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), biometrics has made a name for itself in the travel industry as a game-changing innovation that offers a promising solution to the enduring issue of lengthy lines at airports. This technology has the potential to completely change the way we travel, with an impressive 88% of passengers who have used the service expressing satisfaction with the overall biometric procedure. The survey also reveals that 75% of travellers are open to using biometrically-enabled technology in place of traditional passports or boarding passes. The desire to save time and avoid the inconvenience of lines is the primary driver of this growing preference for biometric identification. In fact, 44% of travellers want to speed up the check-in process, and 33% would prefer to finish immigration formalities before arriving at the airport. It is conceivable that when a straightforward ID is presented at a terminal, the system will instantly verify all the information. Security personnel are then given the necessary information, and travel can continue. This greatly expedites the procedure and can be used in other situations, like picking up a rental car or a key for a vacation home. The leading supplier of digital identity, Signicat, is at the forefront of this technological revolution. Due to their years of experience, procedures like identity verification and authentication can be optimised. This results in quicker, more efficient, and safer services for both travellers and airports. Video identification is an important biometric technology development. In the past, airport security personnel or immigration officers manually verified passports by inspecting the validity of the document. This procedure is enhanced by biometrics, making it safer and more effective. The technology precisely verifies the authenticity of a passport, detects manipulations or forgeries, and significantly reduces processing time without compromising security. Despite all the advantages, passengers have valid worries about the use of biometric information. According to the survey, the biggest concerns are data loss due to security breaches, who has access to the data, and general apprehensions regarding the handling and storage of personal information. Passengers’ demands for constant improvement in data security protocols are a direct response. Consumers generally worry about data and information security, which is not specific to the travel industry. Signicat’s annual “Battle to Onboard” report discovered that 92% of respondents are worried about the amount of data they share with their bank when completing an application. It is crucial to continue educating users about how these new technologies work and why they are important, both through local legislation in each country and at a global level. In Europe, for example, the protection of personal information and data privacy will always remain a high priority, regardless of the industry. Source- Travel daily

Oman Air increased the number of flights between Muscat and Salalah during the most recent long weekend, reaching as many as 26 per day with the khareef season in full swing. In June, the airline made an announcement about the additions to its schedule, anticipating a spike in demand for travel during the three-month season. Dhofar maintains its position as a top travel destination for domestic and international travellers thanks to its abundance of natural and cultural attractions and steadily increasing visitor numbers. In addition to the Boeing 737, Oman Air is currently the only airline operating wide-body aircraft between Muscat and Salalah. These aircraft include the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330. On some flights, customers can also choose to book First Class, where they will receive individualised service and Dine on Demand meals. The airline’s international offices have been busy promoting the highlights of the Khareef with a variety of awareness campaigns and exclusive fare deals as part of its commitment to growing Oman’s tourism industry. Oman Air offers convenient and seamless connections from a variety of international destinations with flight schedules that range from early in the morning to late at night. Operations in Khareef will continue until 15 September 2023. Source- Travel daily

The move of Air Canada’s operations to Dubai International’s (DXB) flagship Terminal 3 as of July 26th marked a customer service milestone in the two airlines’ strategic partnership, according to a joint statement from Air Canada and Emirates. The co-location of operations in one of the best terminals in the world will greatly enhance the connecting experience for passengers and highlights the advantages of the alliance between the two airlines, which was established in November 2022. With the convenience of staying in the same terminal, passengers travelling in transit between the Americas on Air Canada and the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Africa on Emirates will experience a seamless and accelerated journey. “We are delighted to welcome Air Canada to Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai, marking another step forward in our strategic partnership to deliver even more value to travellers,” said Adnan Kazim, chief commercial officer of Emirates. Because Air Canada and Emirates are co-located at T3, customers of both airlines can transit through Dubai on Emirates’ international network without experiencing any delays, and those who qualify can access Emirates’ renowned Business Class Lounges and other hub facilities in Dubai before their flight. We hope to further improve traveller experiences by collaborating with Air Canada and providing even more convenient connectivity for travellers. “Air Canada’s new residence at Dubai International Terminal 3 is a significant development that emphasises the significance of our strategic alliance with Emirates and the significance of our flights between the UAE and Canada. According to Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President Network & Revenue Planning at Air Canada, “We extend our sincere gratitude to both Emirates and Dubai Airports for their partnership in facilitating this move, which will greatly benefit our mutual customers.”Air Canada customers will not only profit from seamless onward connections with our codeshare and frequent flyer partner Emirates to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, but they will also enjoy an elevated experience throughout their airport journey.” Welcome to Terminal 3 for Air Canada. Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, stated: “Dubai Airports and Air Canada share a common goal of consistently providing exceptional service and exceeding guest satisfaction. This partnership spans many years. This move will enable us to optimise our airport’s efficiency and enhance the overall travel experience while streamlining Air Canada operations. With biometric touchpoints, roomy and comfortable waiting areas, and a variety of dining and retail options, Terminal 3 is a top-notch facility created to meet the changing needs of modern travellers. On July 26, the first Air Canada flight is expected to land at Terminal 3, and on July 27, the first flight out of Toronto is expected to leave Dubai. The First & Business Class Dropoff will have dedicated Air Canada check-in and bag drop counters, while Premium Economy and Economy will be in the main entrance. The Emirates Business Class lounge in Terminal 3 is also open to customers of Air Canada Signature Class and eligible Aeroplan Elite members (Aeroplan 50K and above). Since November 2022, the carriers have improved their underlying interline agreement, increased capacity into their respective hubs, increased cooperation between their cargo businesses, expanded their codeshare relationship to 42 routes, and developed a reciprocal loyalty partnership for customers to earn and redeem points. Additionally, Air Canada and flydubai, Emirates’ sister airline, have formed a partnership. In addition to its expanded daily Airbus A380 schedule between Toronto and Dubai, Emirates started its daily Boeing 777 service between Montreal and Dubai in July. As an addition to its daily service between Toronto and Dubai, Air Canada will launch its new nonstop four times weekly flights between Dubai and Vancouver on October 30, 2023, using its premier Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. When flying with Air Canada or Emirates, Aeroplan and Skywards members can accrue and use points, and qualified passengers have access to airport lounges and priority check-in and boarding. Source- Travel daily

The national airlines of Spain, the UK, and Qatar, respectively, are joining forces to form Qatar Airways. Together, Qatar Airways and British Airways already run the largest airline joint venture in the world, with service to more than 60 nations. Iberia will join the partnership in July, revolutionising connectivity for travellers around the world.  As a result of the joint venture, Iberia will begin operating new daily flights from its hub, Madrid Barajas International Airport, to Hamad International Airport, which Skytrax named the Best Airport in the Middle East for the 9th consecutive year. Through the three international airlines, passengers will be able to connect to more than 200 destinations. The combined expanded service of Iberia and Qatar Airways will fly the route three times per day, offering unmatched connectivity between the Iberian Peninsula and important markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The Airbus A330-200, with 288 seats in each of the Business and Economy cabins, will be operated by Iberia. The expansion of the partnership offers customers more options than ever before, including a wider range of award-winning products like Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, Iberia’s Business Class, and British Airways’ Club Suite, as well as a wider range of geographic destinations, flight schedules, prices, and seamless connectivity via Doha, London, and Madrid. Travellers from Spain and Portugalwill be able to connect to a wide variety of new places, whether for pleasure or business. With more options than ever, travelling to the Maldives and Seychelles for relaxation, Tanzania and Nepal for adventure, India and Oman for cultural holidays, Singapore and Thailand for shopping, Australia and Hong Kong for family visits, and other destinations become more accessible. Additionally, clients from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia can travel without incident to Madrid, Lisbon, Ibiza, Malaga, Gran Canaria, and dozens of other locations throughout Spain and Portugal. Members of the British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club can now accrue and use their shared currency, Avios, in a first for the world. Loyalty members can combine their balances to redeem rewards offered by each programme and transfer Avios between accounts. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways Group, stated: “At Qatar Airways, we believe in connecting travellers to their preferred destinations, and our recent enhancement to the highly successful joint business with British Airways includes the addition of another oneworld member, Iberia. Now more than ever, our customers will have access to connections to numerous locations on the networks of British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. This coordinated effort is a result of our dedication to continuously enhancing the services we offer to our passengers and giving them the best in the business. Sean Doyle, chairman and CEO of British Airways, stated: “Last year, we added 42 new countries to our joint business partnership with Qatar Airways, and I’m thrilled to see it continue to expand as we welcome Iberia. As part of our commitment to giving customers as many options as possible, British Airways is connected to more than 200 locations worldwide thanks to our close collaboration with partners in Madrid and Doha. “Joining the QJB with Qatar Airways and British Airways is excellent news for our customers,” said Fernando Candela, CEO of Iberia. The opening of our route between Madrid and Doha has us incredibly excited. We are creating the long-needed link between Spain and more than 200 locations in Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, and Africa through QJB hubs in London and Doha, and we are providing new opportunities for travellers going both ways. Our country is moving towards a new model of higher-quality tourism and, with the Madrid-Doha launching, we are making a breakthrough.” Source- Travel daily

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire will host Action Glen. The Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has promised to donate the money collected from attendees, and an additional 5% of all proceeds from the event will support SCAA’s life-saving work. Crieff Hydro’s Action Glen has become a firm favourite with both residents and visitors, and those looking for an action-packed day of adventure will be able to partake in a variety of activities while supporting the deserving cause. Adventurers of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities at the attraction, which offers a variety of thrilling experiences amid the picturesque surroundings of the hotel’s grounds, including a tree top adventure, zip lines, segways, quad bikes, alpaca trekking, and much more. “We are proud to support Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance by donating every penny from ticket sales and refreshments from Action Glen to our fantastic charity partner,” said Stephen Leckie, chairman and CEO of the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels.We encourage visitors, the local community, and people from other areas to come to Action Glen on August 2 for what promises to be an unforgettable day of fun and adventure, all in the name of a good cause, as their dedication to saving lives throughout Scotland is remarkable. “The day at Action Glen looks set to be a success, with lots of exhilarating fun for those attending as well as some welcome support for the charity,” said David Craig, CEO of SCAA. We are grateful for the ongoing support that the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has shown us because SCAA is entirely dependent on donations from businesses and individuals to maintain what has evolved into a crucial life-saving service for everyone in Scotland. Every year, the hotel group hosts thousands of tourists in Scotland, and SCAA is ready to respond to any emergency when guests or locals, both on the mainland and Scotland’s numerous islands, need our assistance. Source- Travel daily

Two new National Geographic Family Journeys itineraries in Italy and Tanzania are now open for reservations, according to G Adventures. The trips are being introduced as family travel demand exceeds 2022, making this type of travel even more in demand to book than it was prior to the pandemic. Families will travel to Tanzania to experience the wonders of a safari as well as the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu, where they will visit a community tourism project, see how banana leaf art is made, and have the opportunity to make some of their own. A gladiator “training session” will be held in Rome, and they will learn how to make their own Venetian masks and prepare pasta while in Florence. When compared to the same booking period in 2022 (January 1–June 30), bookings for the National Geographic Family Journeys travel style have more than doubled in 2023, according to the small group operator and community tourism pioneer. The fact that bookings are up 106% year over year is compelling evidence that family travel is on the rise once more, according to Brian Young, managing director for EMEA. Families are looking to travel further afield and cross off some of those long-awaited bucket list trips because we’re seeing strong interest in Asia, Central America, and South America in particular. People are eager to share experiences as families, as evidenced by the large number of multi-generational bookings, which include grandparents travelling with parents and kids, says Young. Families looking for a meaningful way to travel the world together are the target audience for the National Geographic Family Journeys collection. The itineraries were developed for visitors seven years of age and older to explore a location’s rich and varied characteristics. The 10 existing National Geographic Family Journeys journeys are joined by the two brand-new journeys to Italy and Tanzania, making a total of 12 journeys. Other places to go are France, Japan, Iceland, Morocco, and Peru. Italy Family Vacation: From Venice to Rome Italy is a captivating location for travellers of all ages because it is home to historic ruins, works of art, gelato, and pizza. On a journey from Venice through the heart of Tuscany to Rome, where families attend gladiator “training school,” discover the top attractions of the nation. Visit Renaissance palaces and churches with frescoes, scale mediaeval towers, and take art and cooking classes to fully experience Italian culture. starting at £2,699* for adults and £2,529 for kids.Safari in Tanzania’s renowned national parks and wildlife refuges will allow you to see vast herds of zebras and wildebeests, playful elephants, and cunning predators like lions, cheetahs, and Nile crocodiles. From Arusha to Mto wa Mbu, sample bananas straight from the farm, discover local crafts, and learn how the people there are fighting to preserve the native wildlife and cultures. starting at £3,899 for adults and £3,729 for kids.Each itinerary includes special interactive activities designed to help kids and adults alike connect with their surroundings. These activities are inspired by National Geographic’s expertise in photography, storytelling, wildlife, culture, history, and geography.Source– Travel daily

The National Geospatial Features Catalogue, which will help create a strategic data guide to facilitate the exchange of geographic information at a national level between federal and local government entities on the one side and the private sector on the other, was made public by the Federal Geographic Information Centre (FGIC). In the performance agreements for federal government entities for 2022, which were signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the National Geospatial Features Catalogue is one of the transformational projects. Performance agreements are unique initiatives that will advance the UAE’s competitiveness and usher it into the future. While transformational projects guarantee the application of the new government work methodology for the UAE Government, they are distinguished by their capacity to achieve significant impact across all sectors in a short amount of time. In order to facilitate the exchange and integration of geographic information at the national level and to provide unified codes for all geographical features in the UAE, the National Catalogue aims to provide the authorities with a unified national model for geographic information for all entities operating in the sector. A spatial database of geographic data pertaining to more than 260 geographical features is used to accomplish this. Through the integration of data for cutting-edge applications like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality, the Catalogue serves as a reference for the exchange of geospatial information about geospatial features and a manual for the technical specifications of this type of information. Reusing geospatial data will be possible thanks to the National Geospatial Features Catalogue, which will help the government save time and money. In collaboration with the relevant local and private stakeholders, this transformational project supports the Center’s strategic plan’s directives for standardising standards and specifications for the geospatial data sector in the UAE. Additionally, it will support the UAE’s regional and international initiatives to improve its competitiveness metrics and geospatial information readiness.Source– Travel daily

The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme has awarded Farnborough Airport Level 4+ certification, the highest level of carbon accreditation. Through its six levels of certification, ACA is the only global carbon management certification programme for airports that has received institutional endorsement. It independently evaluates and acknowledges airport efforts to control and lower its carbon emissions. As CEO Simon Geere explains, the achievement of Level 4+ status is part of a larger sustainability initiative at Farnborough Airport. “Advancing our carbon accreditation status from 3+ to 4+ is a further step in supporting our goal to be recognised as a global sustainability showcase for airports,” he says. The first business aviation airport to achieve Carbon Neutral 3+ status was Farnborough Airport in 2018. More recently, it committed to being Net Zero by 2030 or earlier, one of the most ambitious goals in the entire aviation industry, and was the first company in the world to trial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the same price as its standard JET A1 fuel.Source– Travel daily

Flights are now being offered by Pegasus Airlines from Istanbul to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, one of the most well-liked vacation spots in Europe. As of July 19, 2023, flights between Istanbul and Podgorica have begun four times weekly. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Podgorica Airport leave at 11:10, 11:30, 11:45, and 11:50. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, flights from Podgorica Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport leave at 12:50, 13:10, 13:25, and 13:30, respectively. Pegasus entered the aviation industry in 1990 and adopted the low-cost business model before being acquired by ESAS Holding in 2005. Pegasus, Turkey’s top low-cost carrier, upholds the notion that everyone has the right to air travel and provides its clients with the chance to do so on reasonably priced, modern aircraft. In 2018, Pegasus adopted the tagline “Turkey’s Digital Airline” and began flying passengers to 128 destinations in 49 countries, 36 of which are outside of Turkey. Through Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Pegasus offers connecting flights from Turkey to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Russia, and Central Asia. With a focus on the guest experience, Pegasus offers cutting-edge innovations and digital technologies that make travelling easier. With the motto “Moving Towards a Sustainable Future,” Pegasus also makes significant efforts for a better, more equal, cleaner future. Visit the Pegasus Sustainability Centre for more details on the value Pegasus places on sustainability and Pegasus’ actions in this regard.Source- Travel daily

The Eurail Greek Islands Pass has been added to Rail Europe’s B2B inventory and is now accessible through its B2B website and API. “With the introduction of the Eurail Greek Islands Pass, we are proud to offer our B2B partners an unrivalled opportunity to improve their customers’ travel experiences. The Eurail Greek Islands Pass provides access to a wide range of experiences on Greece’s alluring islands, including the alluring glamour of Mykonos, the breathtaking scenery of Santorini, and the unspoiled serenity of Crete, three of Europe’s top travel destinations. According to Björn Bender, CEO & President of Rail Europe, “We are thrilled to foster further collaboration with our partners as we jointly promote this special pass and showcase the captivating islands it encompasses. The Eurail Greek Islands Pass enables travellers to tour the Greek islands using domestic ferry services for 4 days, including Superfast Ferries, Minoan Lines, Grimaldi Lines, and Blue Star Ferries. For travellers interested in visiting popular destinations like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Olympia, as well as the entire European continent, it’s a great addition to the Eurail Greece pass. The ideal way to experience Europe’s wonders by train is with a Eurail pass. These rail passes have been advertised and sold for decades by Rail Europe’s international business partners. The Eurail Global Pass, which is the most widely used pass, is regarded by many as the most convenient way to travel throughout Europe. It offers unlimited rail travel to 33 locations throughout Europe, providing visitors with a distinctive experience and a thorough understanding of the continent’s culture.Source– Travel biz